Spindle



May 6, 1941.

J. A. KENNEDY SPINDLE VZShaets-Sheet l Filed June 4, 1940 IIIA WMM.. gill/[1179.4

H'I'fl'arney May 6, 1941. J. A. KENNEDY 'SPINDLE Filed June@ 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 n I I l l l'llillll Invenl'or Patented'May 1941 John A. Kennedy., Saco, Maine, assignor to Saco- Lowell Shops, Boston, Mass.. incorporation of Maine Application June 4, 1940, Serial No. 338,702 14 claims. (o1. 575130) This invention relates tov spindles of the type used in spinning and twister frames.'

Heretofore spindles of this character have included a vertical shaft, usually referred to asa blade," the lower`portion of which is supported in bearings while the upper part is free and lis designed to receive the bobbin or other support for the thread or yarn body. At the base of the bobbin a pulley or whirl is secured rigidly io the blade, and both the whirl and the bobbin supporting portion of the blade project above the upper bearing, this part of the blade being considerably longer than that supported in the bearings. Consequently, the center of mass of the blade, plus the load which it carries, occupies a substantially overhung relationship with reference to the bearings.

While the spindles themselves and their bearings are manufactured with much care, nevertheiess the overhung condition ljust described, combined with the fact that the center of this rotating mass practically never is in the geo' metrical center of the spindle, produces a condition definitely unfavorable to smooth operation.

` Various factors well understood in the art also tend to accentuate these unfavorable conditions as wear of the bobbins and the spindle structure proceed. y

In addition to the foregoing there has been for many years a constantly increasing tendency toward the use of larger yarn packagesin order to lengthen the interval between shutd'owns for doillng. Simultaneously with it there has also been an increase in spindle speeds "for the purpose of improving the rate of production per unit of time. Obviously both of these factors materially increase the severity of the conditions under which a spindle must operate, and this trend has now progressed toi a point where spindle designs which were satisfactory va few years ago, are giving trouble. Attempts rto meet these more severe requirements merely by using `heavier and stiffer spindle constructions has not solved the problem satisfactorily. Moreover. these larger spindles have shown a marked tendency to increase the Vpower consumption to an undesirable degree. g vThe disadvantages caused bythe overhung condition above described have been recognized heretofore and it was proposed at a relatively early date to overcome this difliculty by providing a revolving support for vthe bobbin in the form of a sleeve encircling the upper po'rtion of a spindle blade seuredin a stationary position on the spindle rail, and to support said sleeve vents the latter from revolving.

on bearings mounted on the blade near opposite ends ofthe sleeve. This type of construction was known as a dead blade spindle or a dead" spindle because the spindle blade itself was secured against rotation. Such constructions, however, did not prove satisfactory and I haye never seen this type of spindle in use in a'textile mill priorto this invention.

Ihe present invention is especially concerned with the foregoing considerations. It aims to devise a spindle structure in which the bearings will be so disposed as to support the load in better dynamic balance, which will accomodate the larger packages, and which can be operated at high speeds whil still maintaining the power consumption within entirely satisfactory limits.

The nature of the invention will be readily T understood from the .following description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, and the novel features will be particularly pointed out in they appended claims.

In the drawings,`

Figure 1 is a central, vertical, sectional view, with parts broken away, `of a spindle constructed in accordance with this invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of `the cap of the spindle shown in Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the parts at the` lower end of the base showing a modified arrangement;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the upper` part of the bolster shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 1 illustrating a modified embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 6 is a view, partlyin side elevation and partly in vertical section, showing a weight removably mounted in the upper end'of the rotary sleeve of the spindle sh'own in Fig. 1; and

Fig. '7 is a vertical,v sectional view of the upper endportion of a. spindle structure of the character shown in Figs. 1 or 5.

Referring first to Fig. 1, the construction there shown comprises-a spindle blade 2, the inter mediate and relatively large portion of which is pressed into the upper end of a bolster 3. This Ibolster is lsupported in the usual manner in a spindle base 4, provided with the usual ange 5y and nut 6 for securing the base to a spindle rail. A key fittinginto one ofthe vertical keyways b, Fig. 4, formed in the side of the bolster 3 pre- Due to this construction and the fact that the blade 2 has a pressed ilt with the bolster, instead of the usual running fit, the spindle blade is held in a stationary or; non-rotative position. In other words, it is what is commonly referred to as a dead" spindle.

Encircling the upper portion of the blade 2 is a sleeve 8 which is supported by upper and lower sets of ball bearings 9 and Iii, respectively, so that it can revolve around the axis of the blade. These bearings not only support the sleeve in the desired radial relationship to the blade, but they also take the end thrust imposed on the sleeve by the load which it carries. Each bearing includes an inner race pressed on to the blade and held in a fixed relationship thereto. As here shown the lower bearing is mounted approximately in 'the center of the whirl I2 secured fast on the sleeve, while the upper bearing is positioned conveniently close to the upper end of the blade. 'Ihe bobbin, tube, or other support for the yarn body (hereinafter called a bobbin) ts frictionally on the outer surface of the sleeve and may or may not be provided with the usual slot to receive a key or lug pro- .1ecting from the upper end of the whirl. In any event, this spacing of the anti-friction bearings l and IU on the stationary blade affords a most effective support for the entire rotating load on the spindle. With any kind of a yarn wind the center of gravity of the rotating mass, at all times, is located between the two anti-friction4 bearings so that the overhung relationship, which is the cause of much trouble in prior constructions as above described, is definitely avoided. In addition, the mounting ofthe load withv equitable distribution between bearings ensures a rate of power consumption comparing favorably with that of the best commercial designs.

Lubrication of the bearings may be effected in a great variety of ways. In the particular arrangement shown a cap I3 is mounted on the upper end of the sleeve 8 and is grooved vertically so that a small quantity of oil introduced into the bore of this cap will be distributed around the stationary blade and will flow along its lateral the latter bearing will be caught in a stationaryl cup I4 which is telescoped over the tubular extension I 5 lor tip of the base projecting above the flange 5. the upper and enlarged end of this cup extending into an annular recess I6 formed in the lower end of the whirl I2 and surrounding the lower extremity oi the sleeve 8. v Such oil finds ari escape through a hole Il in thecup and then flows through another hole I8 into the bore of the base I.

When a spindle of this character is started up, the sleeve, of course, is compelled to revolve about the geometrical axis of the blade. But, as above pointed out, the bobbin and its load practically always are out of balance, so that as the speed increases, a conict occurs between those forces tending to maintain the rotating mass revolving around the geometrical axis and dynamic forces tending to shift that axis into such a position that the sleeve can revolve around an axis passing through the center of gravity of the rotating body. While this conflict progresses, there is a tendency for the spindle structure to vibrate until the dynamic forces gain control of the situation. This invention, therefore, makes provision for such a shift in control at a very early stage in Ithe operation ofthe spindle so that it will quickly reach a condition of stable running and will thereafter remain in that condition until the spindle is again shut down.

In the .particular arrangement shown, this is yduotory portion of this specification.

accomplished by supporting the lower end of the bolster 3 on a shoulder 20, and providing an ample lateral or circumferential clearance between theA bolster and the encircling wall of the base 4. Such a clearance may, for example, be in the neighborhood of twelve-thousandths or fifteen-thousandths of an inch in spindles of the common sizes. Sufficient lubricant is introduced into lthe base through the hole IB to enable the lower end of the bolster to move with comparative freedom in response to those forces set up by the rotation of the sleeve and its load, so that the blade is allowed to adjust itself-automatically into the position necessary fc 5 smooth operation.

In the particular arrangement illustrated in Fig. 1, the base, blade and bolster are very similar to those used in commercial constructions but are modified only so far as necessary to adapt them to the present invention. However, this structure operates satisfactorily and the pressing of the blade into the bolster, as above described, and the mounting of the latter so that its lower end can shift radially, swinging in the upper end of the base as a fulcrum, aiords a limited freedom of movement enabling it to adjust itself automatically into a centralized running relationv ship to the load carried by the blade. As shown in Figs. 1v and 4, the upper end portion of the bolster is slightly enlarged sothat it fits closely in the part I 5 of the base but with the clearance necessary to enable it to operate in ,the manner Just described. A very slight clearance, say one or two-thousandths of an inch, is ample.

It has been found advantageous to yieldingly cushion the lateral or gyratory movement of the lower end of the bolster and this is readily accomplished in the modification shown in Fig. 3. Here the construction is like that illustrated in F'ig. l except that the lower end of the blade has been cut off, and the lower end of the tubular portion of the base is closed by a screw-threaded cap 2|, thusforming an oil well in the base. An oil level preferably is maintained in this well sufiicient to keep the lower portion of the bolster constantly submerged. Consequently, vibration of it and its gyratory movements as the spindle comes up to speed or slows down to a stop will be cushioned and dampened by the presence of an oil nlm substantially filling the clearance space. This dampening medium, being non-elastic, offers the necessary degree of resistance to vibration of the spindle to steady it while still leaving the blade substantially free to swing or gyrate, as required, to enable it to find automatically a stable running position suited to the requirements of .the blade and the load mounted on it, and it avoids setting up forces in the damping medium which would tend to create or to maintain vibration.

Such a construction as that `above described overcomes the difficulties referred to in the intro- It is adapted to support yarn packages of the large sizes which the industry wishes to use and to accommodate the high speeds now demanded, while still providing the smooth running qualities essential to good spinning and twisting practice.

While it is much preferred to use ball bearings, or other forms of anti-friction bearings, nevertheless s'ome of the advantages of the invention can be obtained by' substituting a plain bearing for one or more of the ball bearings provided, of course, that some such centralizing means as that above provided is used.

Improved running conditions at very high speeds are obtained by mounting a weight, such as that shown at 20 in Fig. 6, in :the upper end of the cap I3. A weight having a mass of from two to four ounces is of very material assistance in improving the operation of the spindle and its load revolving at speeds of, say, ten to fteen thousand R. P. M.

A slightly different embodiment of the invenvtlorisum1?tiallmlustrated in Fig. 5, the upper end of the'spindlefstructre bi'ng omitted since it may be a duplicate of that shown in Fig. 1. Here the parts corresponding to those illustrated in Fig. 1 are indicated by the same, but primed, numerals. The base 4 is of a common but diierent fnrr'rifrom that illustrated in Fig. 1, and the spindle blade 2 is pressed into the bolster or bushing asln the pognstruction above described.

Thisibolster, howev'iis made relatively short andli;L has a flange resting on theA upper end of fthe extension or sleeve l5 of thebase so that both the bolster and the spindle which it carries are suspended on the part I5'. The bolster is held against rotation by a key fixed to itself and resting in a slot in the base, and its upper portion for a distance of perhaps one-half to threequarters of an inch, or thereabouts, has a very slight clearance, say one or tWo-thousandths of an inch, with the sleeve l5' so that it operates as a fulcrum in the same manner as does the corresponding portion of the bolster shown in Fig. 1. Below this fulcruxn area the clearance l between the base and the bolster 3' can be increased.

That portion of the stationary spindle blade 2 below the bolster extends through the oil well 2l and into a cylindrical pocket 22, with the walls of which it has a clearance serving to limit'its amplitude of swing to the desired value. This clearance necessarily will depend upon the dimensions of the spindle structure, but assuming the distance from the pocket 22 to the lower balll bearing l to be five or six inches, then a tially in the horizontal median plane of the whirl i2. In other words, this fuicrum is in the center line of pull of the driving tape or band. Thus the spindle is allowed to swing more easily about` this fulcrum in finding its stable running position. This movement and vibration of the spindle are not opposed but they are controlled in two respects: first, they are dampened non-elastically by the body of oil in which the lower end of the blade is immersed; and second, the clearance is made such that the spindle is given ample range of movement to nd a steady running position but is not allowed sufficient amplitude to wander or hunt Such clearances as those above mentioned are typical.

tightly into the upper end of the sleeve 8', and also a cup or hollow fitting 25, the shank of which is secured on the cylindrical tip 26 extendy ing upwardly from, and forming a part of, the stationary blade 2'. Oil may be introduced through the central hole 21 in the cap and into lthe cup 25. A felt Washer 28 in the bottom of this cup i'mpedes its flow, but a restricted flow of it is permitted through one or more ducts 30 to the upper ball bearing 9'. Excess oil so suppliedto this bearing will drip out of it and flow down the inner wall of the sleeve 8 or the surface of the spindle blade 2 to the lower ball bearing I0', Fig. 5, where it will lubricate the latter. Should surplus oil flow out of the latter bearing it can be taken care of in any convenient manner as, for example, by some such arrangement as that shown in Fig.. 1. This construction accommodates a larger bearing at the upper end of the blade While providing ample opportunity for lubrication of both bearings. It will be observed v vicinity` of the 1atera1 pun of the belt which drives that the inner race of the upper ball bearing 9' is seated on the shoulder formed on the blade at the base of the tip 26 and that it is centered by said tip.

The spindle shown in Fig. 5 equipped with the upper end portion illustrated in Fig. 7 is the construction at present preferred.

A spindle of the character provided by this invention is designed primarily for use only in combination with a traveller of a ring spinning or twisting unit. Such a traveller runs in a delicately balanced condition when in normal operation and excessive vibration tends to upset this balance and to break the thread or yarn supporting the traveller. Accordingly, a high speed smooth operating spindle is essential to the attainment of high spinning and twisting speeds.

It should also be noted that in both the constructions shown in Figs. 1 and 5 the fulcrum area and the lower bearing are located in the fthe whirl. 'Ihis arrangement contributes materially to the automatic adjustment of the blade into a stable running position varying with thev requirements of the revolving sleeve and the load which it carries, and it thus facilitates smooth operation of the spindle.

While typical embodiments of the invention have been herein shown and described, it will be evident that the invention may be embodied in other forms without departing from the spirit or scope thereof. For example, it is possible to locate the dampening meansat the upper end 'instead of at the lower end of the spindle, but

such a modication involves manufacturing and operating objections which more than outweigh any advantages to be gained by it.

'Ihis is a continuation, in part, of my pending application Ser. No. 254,052, iiled Feb. 1, 1939. It includes all of the subject matter of said pending application and certain improvements made in the embodiment' of the invention shown in said application.

Having thus described my invention, what I desire to claim as new is:

1. A spindle structure comprising a non-rotative spindle blade, a sleeve encircling said blade in concentric relationship thereto, a whirl rigid with said sleeve and rotating therewith as a unit,

said unit being adapted to removably support .a i;

ter of mass of the unit and the load carried by it, a spindle base in which .the lower portion of said blade is mounted for automatic `adjustment with reference to said base in response to the running requirements of said unit and its load. and means in said base for exerting a substantially non-elastic cushioning action on such adjusting movement of the blade.

2. A spindle structure comprising a non-rotative spindle'blade, a sleeve encircling said blade and adapted to removablysupport a bobbin, a

whirl rigid with said sleeveand rotating there- 3. A spindle structurecomprising anon-rotae tive spindle blade, a, sleeve encircling said blade and adapted to removablysupport a,v bobbin, a whirl rigid with saidy sleeve :androtatingtherewith as a unit, bearings supportingdsaidunit near opposite ends `thereof forjrotation aroundnjsaid blade, and a base in whichvsaid:blade.is mounted for limited but sul'istantially unomiosei swinging movement enabling .it t0. find auwmatically a stable running ypositionsuited..to 4the requirements of said unit'and the llofad mountedon it.

4L A spindle strut'urecomprisinga noni-rotative spindle bladefaf sleeve ,encircling `said blade and adapted to removably support av'lbobbin, a. whirlrigid with said sleeve and rotatingftherewith as a unit, bearings supporting saidjsleeve near opposite ends thereof `for rotation around. said blade,"and a base infwhichv said blade is mounted for swinging movement'about afulcrum in the base whereby Ethe' blade 'and' said unit are enabled to adjiist themselves automatically into a stable runningpositiori'varying with the requirements of the"load,thelower end of tlie spindle having jaiatrai ciearaewith the im@K limiting'the amplitude of such swinging move- 'menti anda 'liquid in saidbase toy cushion such movemen-ts. Y' i k v 5. A spindle 'structure comprisingan upright lnon-'rotative spindle blade, aY sleeve encircling said blade, a whirl rigidwith said sleeveV and rotatable therewith as a unit, said unit being adapted to removably support a bobbin, bearings supporting said unit nea'ropposite ends thereof for rotationfaroundfsaid blade, a. spindle' base in which said 'blade is mountedand means cooperating with`s`aid base to support said blade for ning position varying with the requirements of the load, the lower end of the spindle having a lateral clearance with the base limiting the amplitude of such swinging movement and a liquid in said base serving to cushion such movements. 7. A spindle structure according to preceding claim 1, in which the upper end portion of said blade is reduced and a shoulder is formed at the junction of said reduced portion with the part of the blade below it and said upper ball bearing includes an inner race seated on said shoulder and centered by the reduced extension of the blade.

8. A spindle structure according to preceding .claim l, in which the upper end portion of said blade is reduced and a shoulder is formed at the junction of said reduced portion with the part of the blade ybelow it and said upper ball bearing is seated on said shoulder and is centered by the reduced extension of the blade, and a cup is mounted on said extension and adapted to hold a quantity of lubricant, said cup having an outlet through which -to feed such lubricant to said upper ball bearing.

9. A spindle structure according to preceding claim 5, in which said whirl and said sleeve have a telescoping connection one with the other, and a cap is provided at the upper end of the sleeve and has a telescoping connection therewith.

10. A spindle structure of the character described, comprising an upright non-rotative spindle blade, a sleeve encircling said blade in concentric relationship thereto, a whirl rigid with said sleeve and rotating therewith as a unit, said unit being adapted to removably support, a bobbin, bearings mounted on said blade-at 4points spaced apart vertically and supporting said unit y for rotation around said blade, and means insubstantially'free but limitedA swinging movement about a fulcrum located within the whirl to enable 'said blade and saidunit toind automatically a stable running position suited to .the requirements ofl said unit and the load vmounted 1 6. A spindle structure comprising anupright nonrotative spindle' blade, a sleeve encircling said blade, a whirl rigid with said sleeve and lrotatable therewith as a unit, said unit being adapted to removably support a bobbin, bearings mounted on said-bladeand supporting saidunit both above andV below thece'nter of 'mass of the unit and the load whichfit carries for lrotative movement around saidblade, said bearings supporting said unit both vertically and radially,

and a base in [which said blade is`rnolmted for swinging movement about a fulcrum in the base whereby the blade and said unit are'enabled to adjust themselves automatically into a stable runisy Vcluding a base supporting said blade for limited but substantially u'nopposed swinging movements enabling it to find automatically a stable running position suited toi the requirements of said unit and the load mounted on it.

f l 11. A spindle structure of the character described, comprising an upright non-rotative spindle blade, a sleeve encircling said blade in y concentric relationship thereto, a whirl rigid with said sleeve and adapted to receive a driving belt for revolving said whirl and sleeve as a unit, bearings spaced apart on said blade and supporting said unit for rotation around the-blade, and means supporting ysaid blade for limited `swinging movement in any plane passing through the axis of said blade but about a fulcrum located in the vicinity 'of the lateral pull of said belt, whereby the blade is free to adjust itself automatically into a stable running position varying with Ithe requirements of said unit and the load mounted n it.

129A spindle structure of the character ldescribed; comprising an upright non-rotative spindle concentric relationship thereto, a whirl rigid with said sleeve and adapted to receive a driving belt for revolving said whirl and sleeve as a unit, bearings spaced apart on said bladeand vsupporting Asaid unit for rotation around the supporting said blade forlimblade, Aa sleeve encircling said blade in lower ot said bearings being located in the vicinity of the lateral pull of 'said belt.

13. A spindle structure of the character described. comprising an upright non-rotative spindle blade. a sleeve encircling said blade in concentric relationship thereto. al whirl rigid with said sleeve and rotating therewith as a unit,

-said unit being adapted to removably support a bobbin, bearings mounted on said blade at points spaced apart vertically and supporting said unit for rotation around said blade, and means supporting said blade for limited swinging movements about a fulcrum located closely adjacent to the whirl to enable said unit to find auto- 14. A spindle structure oi the character described, comprising an upright non-rotative spindle blade, a sleevefencircling said blade in concentric relationship lthereto, a whirl rigid with said sleeve and rotating therewith as a unit, said unit being adapted to removably support a bobbin, bearings mounted on said blade at points spaced apart vertically and supporting said unit for rotation around said blade, means supporting said blade for limited swinging movements about a nilcrum located closely adjacent to the whirl to enable said'blade and said unit to ilnd automatically a stable running position varying with the requirements of said unit and the load mounted on it, the lower oi said bearings being mounted above and closely adjacent to said fulcrum.

JOHN A. KENNEDY. 

